Springboard



March 3, 1936.

amzsm H. W. HANDLEY SPRINGBOAR D Filed Aug. 22, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 3, 1936. H. w. HANDLEY SPRINGBOARD Filed Aug. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. cw 712mm March 3, 1936. H, w. HANDLEY SPRINGBOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 22, 1952 Patented Mar. 3, 1936 NEED STA TE? OFIE 19 Claims.

This invention relates to springboards, such as used in diving contests and the like, and especially to an adjustable fulcrum support for the board whereby the degree of resiliency of the board may be varied to suit different kinds of dives and persons of different weight.

Springboards are used in diving performances to lift the individual performer or contestant to a height above the water sufficient for the diver to execute the various dives prescribed by the bodies governing diving events known as fancy diving.

Fancy diving is a form of acrobatics scientifically timed on a springboard to bring the performer to the required altitude after his take off from the board to execute and place his body before entering the water in certain contortions and positions of grace with the least difficulty. The rules of the amateur athletic union of the United States show that in amateur athletic diving contests there are thirty-four differently executed dives. Eleven of these are forward dives with the body facing the water, four are forward dives with the body facing the springboard, four are backward dives body facing the springboard, eight are backward dives body facing water, and seven are screw dives both standing and running. Different app-roaches and different pounding of the springboard are required for the proper timing of take offs for each of the dives, hence it would be desirable to vary the resiliency of the board for different types of dives.

Until recently it has been necessary in diving contests for women divers weighing about one hundred pounds to perform off a springboard where the fulcrum has been fixed for a diver weighing one hundred and sixty-five pounds. This is obviously unfair, but such has been the procedure at such major events as the Olympic games heretofore held.

The resiliency of a springboard should be varied not only for different types of divers but for persons of different weight, and in this connection it may be stated that the resiliency of different pieces of lumber manufactured into springboards is located at different distances from the deflected end. This is due to the condition of growth of the tree from which the springboards are manufactured, the amount and density of summer and winter wood, the amount of coarse and fine grain in the annual rings of growth in the tree. These varying conditions give the manufactured lumber varied degrees of limberness and determine the point of desirable resiliency and flexibility at different points when these pieces are rigidly anchored at one end and a fulcrum fixed with forced deflection taking place at the other or performing end of the board. Since the texture of the wood must be considered, the weight of the particular person performing, and the type of dive to be executed must also be considered, these three conditions must be synchronized and an adjustable fulcrum which can be readily and quickly actuated must be provided.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of springboards of the character described; to provide an adjustable fulcrum support for the board whereby the resiliency of the board may be increased or decreased for different types of dives, for different textures of wood, and for persons of different Weight; to provide power or manually actuated means whereby the fulcrum point may be readily and quickly shifted either by the diver or anattendant; to provide means for reducing back-slap or rebound of the board on the fulcrum or behind the same to a minimum after the diver takes off from the board; and further, toprovide a compact, rigid frame structure for the support of the springboard, the adjustable fulcrum, and the mechanisnr whereby it is actuated.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig, 1 is a side elevation of a springboard showing it mounted at the end of a pool, said view also showing the frame in whichthe board is anchored, together with the adjustable fulcrum, and the mechanism actuating the same.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial side elevation of the springboard and the adjustable fulcrum.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing power actuated means for adjusting the fulcrum.

- Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 4 partially broken away.

Fig. 6 shows a modified structure in which the fulcrum point is stationary and the springboard movable with relation to the fulcrum point.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on line VIIVII of Fig. 6.

Fig, 8 is a cross section on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 1 to 3, A indicates ingeneral a main frame, B a springboard supported thereby, and C an adjustable fulcrum support whereby the resiliency or spring of the board may be varied to suit different types of dives and persons of varying weight.

The main frame consists of a pair of spaced channel bars 2-2 supported by legs or uprights 3-3. The channel bars and the legs are riveted, welded, or otherwise secured with relation to each other and cross or longitudinally secured brace bars 4 are employed to insure as rigid a frame structure as possible. The inner ends of the channel bars form a support for an anchor means 5 whereby the inner end of the springboard is secured, while the outer ends of the channel bars form a support for the adjustable fulcrum support upon which the springboard flexes.

The outer ends of the channel bars are slotted longitudinally, as indicated at 6, to permit a shaft 1 to extend therethrough. Freely journaled on the shaft is a roller 8. This roller is disposed directly under the springboard and forms the adjustable fulcrum support. The roller may be constructed of wood, metal, or any other suitable material, and it is preferably covered with rubber to provide a resilient surface and to reduce noise in the board to a minimum. Disposed at one end of the roller is a collar 9 which is secured to the shaft and which secures the roller against endwise movement in one direction, and similarly secured at the opposite end of the roller is a wheel I which is operated by the foot of the diver or by an attendant, as the case may be. The hub of the wheel is secured to the shaft and as such forms a driving connection between the wheel and the shaft and it also serves the same function as the collar 9, to-wit, that of securing the roller 8 against endwise movement in the opposite direction. Secured to opposite ends of the shaft within the channel bars 2 are spur gear pinions H, and extending longitudinally of the channel bars and intermeshing with the spur gear pinions are rack bars l2. Secured to one end of the shaft 1 is a disc l3. Formed in the disc near its peripheral edge are a number of perforations l4 and adapted to extend through the disc is a pin I5. This pin also extends through an angular plate 16 secured to the top surface of one of the channel bars, said angular plate being perforated, as shown at H, to receive the pin l at points intermediate the length of the angular bar l6.

In actual operation the surface of the wheel It] may be corrugated, knurled, or otherwise roughened so when the foot of the diver is placed thereon it may be readily rotated by movement of the foot. If the diver desires to move the fulcrum support outwardly or inwardly with relation to the springboard to increase or decrease the resiliency thereof, he removes the pin l5. He then rotates the wheel ill with his foot and'when he does so heimparts a rotary motion to the shaft 1 and the spur gear pinions II and, as the spur gear pinions intermesh with the rack bars l2, the shaft 1 will move inwardly or outwardly with relation to the springboard and thus change the position of the fulcrum point. The roller 8, which actually supports the springboard and engages the surface thereof is freely rotatable on the shaft 1, will merely roll along the under surface and when the desired position is assumed the diver inserts the pin 45 through the perforated disc 13, and the perforated angle .bar l6 andthus locks the shaft and roller at any point desired.

The operation of adjusting the fulcrum point is thus quickly and readily accomplished and while the diver may adjust the fulcrum point himself, it is obvious that an attendant may be employed for that purpose if so desired. If an attendant is provided, the diver will stand on the end of the springboard and will bounce thereon so as to determine when the desired resiliency is obtained.

stationary, that is, it is free to rotate on its shaft but the shaft is maintained in stationary journals or bearings, such as indicated at 20 see Fig. 8. In this instance the springboard itself is longitudinally movable with relation to the roller 8a and this is accomplished by placing the adjustable fulcrum mechanism at the inner end of the frame A; that is, the inner ends of the channel bars are slotted, as indicated at Bar, to permit the shaft 7a to extend therethrough. The shaft carries spur gear pinions which intermesh with rack bars Hot. The shaft 1a also carries a perforated disc, such as indicated at Ba, and a perforated angle bar 5a is provided to lock the disc and shaft against rotation. The only difference in this structure, when comparison is made with that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, is that bearings 22 are provided for the shaft la and these bearings are secured to the inner end of the springboard as shown in Fig. '7. Hence, when the foot wheel Illa is rotated the whole springboard is moved longitudinally of the fulcrum support or roller 8a but the same result is obtained as the fulcrum point of the board is changed. Hence, it is more or less immaterial whether the fulcrum point itself is moved or the board is moved with relation to the fulcrum point.

In Figs. 4 to 5 another modification is shown. In this instance the fulcrum point is adjustable in a manner somewhat similar to the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The shaft 1b is in this instance provided with rollers 25 at their outer ends, which extend into and are supported and guided by the outer ends of the channel bars 2b. The

roller 82) is freely journaled on the shaft and so are a pair of bearings 26 which are interposed between the ends of the roller 8b and the rollers 25. The bearings 26 are connected through a yoke 2'! with a cross head 28. This head is pivoted at the inner end of the yoke, as shown at 29, and it carries a threaded rod 30. This threaded rod extends through the hub of a gear 3|, said hub being internally threaded to function as a nut. This gear is adapted to be rotated by means of a gear pinion 32 .and this pinion is, in turn,

secured on the end of a motor shaft 33. Any suitable type of electric motor 34 may be employed and any standard form of reversing switch. Hence, when it is desired to adjust the fulcrum point, the diver or attendant throws the switch in one direction or another and the threaded rod 30 will accordingly move longitudinally with relation to the nut or the hub of the gear 3| as this is rotated, thus moving the fulcrum point inwardly or outwardly in the channel bars. This type is only required where quick or rapid adjustment of the fulcrum point is necessary.

Where a springboard in anchored at one end and supported either by a fixed or .an adjustable fulcrum at a point intermediate its ends, considerable arching of the board between the anchor andthe fulcrum point takes place when the free or spring end of the board is depressed by the performer, and when the performer or diver takes off from the board the board rebounds causing an iii) objectionable back-slap and noise, as well as wear of the board caused bypounding on the ful crum. Baok'sla'p, noise, pounding and unnecessary wear are avoided in the present instance by attaching abridle 48 to the board at a point between the anchor end and the fulcrum, asshow'n on the several drawings. One or more coil springs ll are attached at one end to the bridle and at the opposite end to the frame and an adjusting screw may be employed, as illustrated at 42, to increase or decrease the tension on the springs. By employing the bridle and springs, as'shown, the arching movement of the board between the anchor end and the fulcrum point is reduced. Furthermore, the spring tension is sufficient to hold the board in contact with the fulcrum point, thus substantially eliminating back-slap and pounding on the fulcrum when the performer takes off from the board, noise being further reduced by applying a rubber cover to the roller 3, as shown in Fig. 3.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A springboard support comprising a frame, a springboard mounted in the frame, a fulcrum support in the frame intermediate the ends of the board, and power actuated means on the frame whereby the distance from the fulcrum support to the free end of the board may be adjusted to vary the resiliency of the board.

2. A springboard support comprising a frame, a springboard mounted in the frame, a fulcrum support in the frame intermediate the ends of the board, and power actuated means on the frame whereby the fulcrum support is movable longitudinally with relation to the board to vary the resiliency of the free end of the board.

3. A springboard support comprising a frame, a springboard mounted in the frame, a fulcrum support in the frame intermediate the ends of the frame, and manually actuated means on the frame whereby movement is transmitted to move the fulcrum support longitudinally with relation to the board to vary the resiliency of the free end of the board.

4. A springboard support comprising a frame, a springboard mounted in the frame, a. fulcrum support in the frame intermediate the ends of the board, and means carried by the frame for moving the board in the direction of its length to vary the distance between the fulcrum support and the free end of the board.

5. A springboard support comprising a frame, a board anchored at one end to the frame, a roller supported by the frame intermediate the ends of the board and forming a fulcrum about which the board flexes, a wheel journaled on the frame and adapted to be manually rotated, and means for transmitting movement from said wheel to adjust the roller longitudinally of the board to vary the resiliency of the board.

6. A springboard support comprising a frame, a board anchored at one end to the frame, a roller supported by the frame intermediate the ends of the board and forming a fulcrum about which the board flexes, a wheel journaled on the frame and adapted to be manually rotated, means for transmitting movement from said wheel to adjust the roller longitudinallyof the board to vary the resiliency of the board, and means for locking the wheel against rotation when the roller is adjusted. i

'7. A springboard comprising a frame, a springboard anchored at one end to the frame, a shaft extending through the frame intermediate the ends of the board, a roller freely journalled on the shaft and forming a fulcrum support for the board, gears on each end of the shaft, a rack bar on each side of the frame and intenneshing with the gears, and means for rotating the shaft and gears to move the shaft, gears and roller longitudinally of the frame and the board.

8. A springboard comprising a frame, a springboard anchored at one end to the frame, a shaft extending through the frame intermediate the ends of the board, a roller freely journalled on the shaft and forming a fulcrum support for the board, gears on each end of the shaft, a rack bar on each side of the frame and intermeshing with the gears, means for rotating the shaft and gears to move the shaft, gears and roller longitudinally of the frame and the board, and means for securing the shaft, the roller and the gears against rotation.

9. A springboard comprising a frame, a springboard anchored at one end to the frame, a shaft extending through the frame intermediate the ends of the board, a roller freely journalled on the shaft and forming a. fulcrum support for the board, gears on each end of the shaft, a rack bar on each side of the frame and intermeshing with the gears, means for rotating the shaft and gears to move the shaft, gears and roller longitudinally of the frame and the board, a Wheel secured to the shaft and operable by the foot of a person standing on the board torotate the a shaft and gears so as to move the roller longitudinally of the frame and the board, and means for securing said wheel against rotation.

10. A springboard support comprising a frame, means for anchoring one end of a board to said frame, a fulcrum supporting the board at a point intermediate its ends, and a connection between the frame and the board intermediate the fulcrum and anchored end to limit the upward movement of the board.

11. In combination with a springboard support comprising anchor means and a fulcrum for a board, resilient means connecting the board intermediate the anchor means and fulcrum with the support.

12. In combination with a springboard support comprising anchor means and a fulcrum for a board, resilient means connecting the board in termediate the anchor means and fulcrum with the support, and means for adjusting the tension on said resilient means.

13. A springboard support comprising a frame, a springboard mounted in the frame, a fulcrum support in the frame intermediate the ends of the board, and rotatably actuated means whereby the distance from the fulcrum support to the free end of the board may be adjusted to vary the resiliency of the board.

14. A springboard support comprising a frame, a springboard mounted in the frame, a fulcrum support in the frame intermediate the ends of the board, and rotatably actuated means whereby the fulcrum support is movable longitudinally with relation to the board to vary the resiliency of the free end of the board.

, to said frame, an inclined track, a fulcrum mem- 15. In a spring board for divers, a frame structure, means for securing one end of said board ber mounted on said track and adapted to support said board at predetermined intermediate points, and means for moving said fulcrum member along said track.

16. In a spring board device, means for supporting said board at a predetermined angle of inclination, means for fulcruming said board at predetermined intermediate points, and means for shifting the fulcrumed point of said board, the last said means including means for maintaining said board at a constant angle of inclination so long as said board is at rest upon said fulcrum.

1'7. In a spring board device, means for fixedly supporting one end of the board, a fulcrum member, means for movably' supporting the fulcrum member, and means for adjusting the same along the board to support the board at predetermined intermediate points and at a constant predetermined angle of elevation.

18. In an apparatus of the stated character,

a frame including a fulcrum member, a carriage movable with respect to said'frame, a spring board resting on said fulcrum and anchored at one end to the carriage, and means for adjusting the carriage with respect to the frame, to vary the relative positions of the spring board anchorage and the fulcrum with respect to each other and increase or decrease the effective rigidity of the board.

19. In apparatus of the stated character, the combination with a frame, of a roller constituting a fulcrum secured in fixed relation at one end thereof, a carriage adjustable longitudinally at a fixed angle with respect to the frame, a spring board resting on said fulcrum and anchored to the carriage, and means for adjusting said carriage with respect to the frame to vary the relative position of the spring board anchorage with respect to the fulcrum, the angular position of the spring board with respect to the horizontal remaining fixed regardless of the relative position of the spring board anchorage and the fulcrum.

HUGH WARREN HANDLEY.

Gil 

